The 11 Best Hiking Backpacks to Use | 2019

No matter what type of hike you’re going on, your backpack is where you’ll store all of your necessities, so the material and support are important.

Other criteria to consider include storage capacity, weight, size, water-resistance, and durability.

Therefore, based on these criteria, we put together this best hiking backpack list so you can find the one that best fits your needs!

Top 5 Best Hiking Backpacks – Editor’s Pick

Here’s our best hiking backpack top 5 list for you, based on rating, quality and capacity.

11. Sunhiker Hiking Backpack

Ideal for: Longer hikes, traveling, mountaineering

This Sunhiker backpack is made of a highly tear resistant nylon and has breathable mesh shoulder straps.

This product is water-resistant and has adjustable shoulder straps and a bottle holder on both sides.

It will be great to use for any activities and outdoor sports in or out of the city you have planned for yourself.

Also, make sure you do not wash it with liquid detergent or bleach, instead just clean it with a wet cloth. 

Heights: 

• Comfortable and lightweight
• Very spacious

Plains: 

• Could dp with more pockets
• Zipper might break

10. G4Free Packable Daypack

Ideal for: Afternoon hikes

This daypack from G4Free is one of the most popular backpacks with hikers.

This backpack is extremely lightweight at just 0.38lbs, and it’s water and tear-resistant.

It folds up to a very compact size, so you can take it with you while you travel and use it for brief hikes of a few hours.

Heights:

• Durable, water-resistant material
• Three compartments and side pockets
• Folds up into its own carrying bag

Plains: 

• Tricky zipper
• Side pockets are small

Recommended: You can also pair up this backpack with one of the best backpacking tents available now on the market.

9. Outlander Durable Packable Daypack

Ideal for: Day hikes, weekend hikes

Next on our best hiking backpack list is this Outlander daypack that is available in several bright colors.

It is popular due to its extremely lightweight material and deceptively spacious compartments.

This pack weighs just half a pound and can be folded up into its own pocket.

It’s made from durable nylon.

Use this pack for regular hikes while traveling on a longer trip.

Heights: 

• Lightweight (0.5 lbs.)
• Water-resistant
• Rip resistant
• Folds into its own pocket

Plains: 

• Not fully waterproof
• Shoulders not very padded

Suggested: Also, you can check here for the best backpacking sleeping bags.

8. Mountaintop Internal Frame Backpack

Ideal for: Light to medium backpacking, mountaineering

This pack from Mountaintop is another relatively low-priced option for light or medium-length backpacking trips.

The pack can be used with a hydration system and is made from water-resistant nylon.

It has a padded hip strap and several spacious compartments.

It’s easily adjustable to different sizes.

This pack holds 65 liters, so it’s suitable for backpacking trips of up to a week-long depending on your load.

Heights: 

• Affordable
• Built-in rain cover
• Breathable and comfortable

Plains: 

• Not as durable as higher-end packs
• Water resistance fades over time

7. Teton Sports Scout Internal Frame

Ideal for: Medium hikes, light backpacking

With a capacity of 55 liters, this is one of the best light hiking backpacks you can find at this price point.

There are multiple compartments, hip straps and padded shoulder straps, and compression straps.

This backpack weighs 4.5 pounds, which is average for this type of hiking backpack, and it includes a rainfly.

It is great for a beginner hiker.

Heights: 

• Durable material
• Good back and shoulder support
• Adjustable

Plains: 

• Small side pockets

6. Outlife Hiking Backpack

Ideal for: Long hikes, trekking, climbing

Next on our best hiking backpack list, we have this durable backpack from Outlife, made from high-quality nylon fabric.

This is water resistant and its double-layer bottom piece offers extra strength.

It has plenty of pockets to cover all your traveling needs: the large capacity main pocket, front and side pockets, bottom and waist pocket, and a protective pocket.

Moreover, it is very light and the back-ventilation design provides great airflow.

Heights: 

• Very light
• Durable and functional
• Lots of pockets and straps

Plains:

• Straps don’t double back on themselves
• There is no frame

5. Wasing Internal Frame Backpack

Ideal for: Weekend hikes, light backpacking

This Wasing backpack is a great low-budget option for backpacking.

It’s much less expensive than many other packs designed for longer hikes while being lightweight for a pack of this capacity at around 3lbs.

It holds 55 liters and it has a hip strap and provides comfortable support.

As a low-cost option, this pack is not quite durable enough for difficult hikes or long backpacking trips.

Still, it is perfect for hikes of a few days or shorter/easier backpacking excursions.

Heights: 

• Water-resistant ripstop material
• Lightweight
• Durable material

Plains: 

• Not suitable for very tall people
• Too small for longer backpacking trips unless external attachments are used

4. Teton Sports Oasis Backpack

Ideal for: Day hikes

This daypack from Teton is ideal for day hikes.

For the price, it’s the best hiking backpack for this type of hike: it’s lightweight and includes a hip strap and chest strap, and has a hydration system included.

The total capacity of the hydration pack is 18 liters, and the pack weighs about 2lbs unfilled.

Heights: 

• Lightweight and comfortable
• Provides support
• Includes rain cover

Plains: 

• Flimsy zippers
• Small side pockets

3. Teton Sports Mountain Adventurer Backpack

Ideal for: Long backpacking excursions

This first option from Teton Sports is their most expensive backpack on this list, but it holds the most volume – 65 liters.

It is an average weight for a pack of this volume, at 4lbs without the rain poncho.

The rain poncho adds another 1.25 lbs but will keep your gear protected.

This pack offers a variety of storage configurations for different types of gear — trekking poles, helmets, and so on — and it’s spacious and supportive.

Heights: 

• Water-resistant and durable
• Adjustable frame
• Spacious

Plains: 

• Not as lightweight as some other packs

2. Granite Gear Crown VC Backpack

Ideal for: Medium-level backpacking

This Granite Gear pack weighs just 2lbs and can hold up to 60 liters, making it suitable for backpacking trips of up to a week long.

It includes crossover straps and a padded hip strap for support.

This pack also includes a vapor current (VC) internal frame, which is removable.

Heights: 

• Lightweight
• Spacious compartments
• Affordable
• Removable internal frame

Plains:

• Basic features

Suggested: You can check here for the best hydration bladders for your hiking trips.

1. Osprey Men’s Atmos 65 Backpack

Ideal for: Heavy backpacking, through-hiking

This Osprey backpack is quite spacious, at 65 liters, so it’s the best hiking backpack for longer backpacking trips or trips where you’ll need more gear.

This pack can carry up to 50lbs comfortable.

It’s more lightweight than other packs of a similar volume at just 4lbs.

There’s a trekking pole attachment to easily carry your poles.

Heights: 

• Spacious
• Supportive
• Relatively lightweight for its size

Plains: 

• Higher price

Conclusion

You’ll notice that our best hiking backpack list ranks backpacks by the length of trip that they’re suited for, which makes sense – longer trips require more durable, bigger packs.

We’d love to hear what’s your favorite type of backpack to use, and how long do you use it for? Let us know in the comments below!

Recommended Read: The Best Backpacking Backpacks to Take With You